There may have been some detours along his path, but the Victoria resident believes his professional debut is a boulevard to bigger things in the sport. Resendez will face Frankie Oliva in a 130-pound fight this evening at the Victoria Community Center in his first pro fight.

His debut is part of five professional fights Saturday. The first bout is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

That the bout is taking place is a testament to the transition Resendez has made over the past year. Prior influences only led to trips to juvenile detention and other trouble. Shorn of those figures, the 17-year-old has dedicated his life to his family and boxing. From parents Jorge and Erma to trainer Miguel Loya Sr. or his girlfriend Madison Dolezal those closest to Abel have witnessed the metamorphosis.

"I thought that would be a good way to keep his mind straight," Dolezal said. "Ever since he got back into it, he's done really well. ...He's trying to do his best in everything now. It's not just boxing, but school and everything."

Dolezal said Resendez looks up to Manny Pacquiao and aspires to fight as long as possible. The Filipino puncher is a legend in the sport; but, the talent Resendez has may make for an extended career within the sport.

""The hunger in his eyes, he had that hunger when he was a little kid," Loya said after reuniting with Resendez after his most recent run-in earlier this year. "He defeated a lot of kids when he was younger. Before, he came to practice, trained for a couple days and I wouldn't see him for a couple weeks. The last time I saw him he changed he said 'I'm too old to do these things.'"

Resendez started boxing when he was nine. Loya recalls he was a natural in the sport, but never worked as hard as he could. That changed this year and Abel is in the best shape of his life.

"I went to Sliver Gloves and won there, I went to state and won there, I just decided to keep going with it," Resendez said.

"It's a God-given talent. I don't want to throw it away. I actually put work into it. God made me for a reason, to do something with my life. I am going to go ahead and do it. It's always been my passion and it's always been in my blood. I want to make my dad proud and everything will turn out good."

Resendez was slated to be one of three local fighters to participate this evening. However, Miguel Loya Jr. developed a shoulder injury sparring with Resendez Aug. 5 and will not fight.

Bay City's Francisco Arellano (1-0) will look to win his second professional fight as he takes on Ricardo Avila in a four-round 125-pound bout. Arellano won his Aug. 4 debut with a first-round knockout.

"The guy was strong, he was a southpaw and he came out strong, charging me up," Arellano said of his victory over Victor Rivera. "I kept my composure and wore him down in the body and the right hand landed."

In Dolezal's ideal situation her boyfriend will emulate Arellano and knock out his opponent in the first round in his professional debut. Though Oliva (0-0-1) had nearly a five-pound advantage at the weigh-in -132 to 127.5- the Victorian is eager to for the bell to ring on his new career.

Like some roads in Victoria, Abel's journey has not been the smoothest, but through his family and his sport Resendez believes he has found his lane in life.

"It's going to be great," he said. "I am going to have a lot of fans yelling my name. I am going to have so many fans, so I am going to be proud to represent my hometown, especially in front of people who said I couldn't do it. I'm showing them I can."